Mode of protecting storage structures from lightning.



J. M. GORDON. CTING STORAGE STRUCTURES FROM LIGHTNlNG.

Moot 0F PROTF. =1 ,2s9,477.

APPUCATION. FILED JULY 8. 915- Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

JOSEPH M. GORDON, OF EUREKA, KANSAS.

MODE OF PROTECTING STORAGE STRUCTURES FROM LIGHTNING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 191 '7.

Application filed July 8, 1915. Serial No. 38,810.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn M. GORDON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Eureka, in the county of Greenwood and State of Kansas, haveinvented a new and useful Mode of Protecting Storage Structures fromLightning, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in a mode of protectingmetallic reservoirs and the like from the danger of ignition of theircontents by electrical dis charges and has for its object to provide anefficient protection of the class described which can be applied to theordinary form of structure without changing the form of the latter.

A further object of the invention is to equip storage tanks havinginflammable contents with sufiicient electric conductors through whichthe electricity will be grounded, and thereby reduce possibility, of thesame being struck by lightning, to a minimum.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,and in which like reference characters denote like parts:

Figure 1, is a perspective view of an oiltank provided with my mode ofprotection,

Fig. 2, is a detail view showing one of the air terminals,

Fig. 3, is a detail of one of the bases for supporting the terminals.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates a tank for the storage ofpetroleum, and while a cylindrical form of tank is shown I do not wishto limit the construction to that form as others may be found to be moreadvantageously adapted to the particular conditions found. Surroundingthe tank, preferably at the top and bottom, I provide bands 2 of copperor other good conducting material, which are secured in close contact tothe tank by the rivets or bolts. A rality of conductors 4 formed ofmaterial like the bands extend up one side of the tank, across the topand down the other side to which they are secured by rivets 5 and are inelectrical contact with said sides and top. The lower ends 6 of thesebands are grounded below and adjacent to the sides of the tank. It willbe noted that these plubands cross one another at the center 9 of thetop of the tank.

Air terminals 10 or discharge points made of good conducting materialare positioned around the outer edge of the top of the tank and one inthe center where the bands cross. These terminals have their upper ends11 pointed and are preferably nickeled to prevent corroding. The lowerend 12 is threaded and fits into an internally threaded portion 13 of abase 14. The said base is formed of good conducting material and issecurely attached to the side and top of the tank and in electricalcontact with the bands which extend around and over the latter. Thenumber of the terminals to be used will depend upon the size of the tankor structure. While I prefer to construct the bands and terminals of copper the same is not essential as good results may be obtained by the useof iron.

From the above it is to be understood that the band and strap are snuglyengaged with the tank, thereby being transported with the latter as apart of the tank. Furthermore the band and strap will in this way occupyonly a minimum amount of space when the tank is set up.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

I. A lightning protector for portable storage tanks including conductingbands snugly engaged with the outer periphery of the tank at the top andbottom of the latter, and conductive straps crossed over the top of thetanks and extending down the sides of the latter into engagement withsaid bands, the free terminals of said straps being grounded below thebottom of the tank.

2. A lightning protector for portable tanks including highly conductivebands snugly engaged with the tank, conductive straps mounted over thetop of the tank and extended into engagement with said bands, the freeterminals of said straps being extended below the lower end of said tankand grounded, and air terminals detachably mounted on said straps andbands.

J. M. GORDON. lVitnesses:

W. S. MoRRow, G. F. BLAIR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington. D. C.

